I Must Not Tell Lies

Aaah! Somebody, please, help me!

What was that scream?

It was a boy, wasn't it. Is it monsters?!

Huff... *pant*

Were you the one screaming just now? What happened?

I got chased by a violent monster... And I ran away! Let's hurry back to the village! If we stay here, it'll catch us!

Aldo!

We can't just leave it out here like this!

You go back to the village. We'll fight off the monster!

Wha, you're not running away?

We'll do something about the monster! Let's go, Feinne!

Okay!

I don't see anything like a monster around here.

Maybe it's already moved on?

There aren't any monsters.

Why did you follow us?!

And what do you mean, there aren't any?

You fell for it.

Huh?

I am Ryuge, and what you have just witnessed is my masterful deceit!

What?!

A truly masterful deceit!

Masterful, ?! Why would you tell a lie like that?!

There's no real why about it. I just wanted to play a joke on you, that's all.

Lying as a joke is even worse! And in such a dangerous place... What if no one comes when you're really in trouble?

It's just as Feinne says. You were lucky it was us, but you could have got someone in real trouble here.

I know that.

But you are right. Sorry. I won't do it again.

As long as you get it.

Hey, can I show you a secret place, to make up for being naughty?

A secret place?

Yeah, there's a really great view from it.

Wow, really? Aldo, can we go?

We can, but... Are you sure about this?

Let's go and see it Aldo. He has apologized, after all?

Well, if you say so, Feinne.

The secret place is a bit farther on. Let's go.

This way. Just through here.

I wonder what this view is like...

Ah?!

Feinne?! Are you all right?!

I-I'm fine... I just fell into a hole... But what do I do now? There's ivy inside the hole and I can't get loose.

A hole. Wait!

I didn't think you'd fall for it this easily.

Argh! I knew it! Feinne, I'll save you right awa, ?!

I should have expected a second hole.

Aldo...

Sorry... You're gonna have to wait a bit.

Well done, you two!

......

......

So the secret place was a lie too, was it?

The secret place is real. It's just after the holes. It's just easier to catch people if you mix some truth in with the lie.

I'm impressed you dug them all by yourself.

Why are you doing things like this? Lying is bad.

I told you. It's a joke. A prank.

Is that all?

Are you sure there isn't a reason behind all your lying? If there is, then tell us. We might be able to help you.

It's none of your business. And I can't give up lying.

Wait! I'm not finished, !

Feinne, what made you think Ryuge's lies aren't just pranks? I'm not doubting you, but I just can't see them being anything else.

I don't know, really... I just feel he's not doing it for fun. It's like he has a goal of some sort.

A goal, huh? So what do you think we should do?

I want to speak with Ryuge again. I can't leave things like this.

Okay. I'll lend you a hand, then.

Thanks, Aldo.

Let's go to the village. Ryuge might have gone home.

Hey, have you got a minute?

What's up?

We're looking for a boy called Ryuge. Has he come back to the village?

Ryuge? Did you two get pranked by him?

Do you know him?

We do. We're his friends. But I don't think he's back yet. We've been playing here the whole time but we haven't seen him.

Really. Well, do you know why he tells lies?

We do know. He's just worried about people who try to go to dangerous places.

What do you mean?

His dad died trying to save a kid that went somewhere dangerous. Since then he lies to people to stop them from going places that are dangerous.

So that's why he did what he did in Igoma.

He's a good boy, really. He just doesn't want anyone to get hurt.

That's not right!

That's not right at all. I told you, I'm lying for the fun of it.

Now you're lying! We know you're just being hard on yourself!

Yeah! Why didn't you come and talk to us about it?

......

You know you can always rely on us. We're friends, after all.

Lying's bad, so we'll find another way to help.

You don't need to do that. And you're not my friends, anyway. So just leave me alone.

What do you mean we're not friends?!

I've had enough of this! I'm going home!

Huh? Are you sure?

Guys...

We better follow him, Feinne. I'm worried about him.

...Okay.

......

Please, do your best for him.

Leave it to us.

I'm sorry, I just don't want to be any more trouble...

Aargh?! A-A monster?!

I-I've gotta run away!

Where's he gone? I hope he hasn't gone too far inside...

He could be attacked at any moment if he has.

Somebody, please, help me!

That voice!

It's Ryuge's voice! Let's hurry!

Wait! Wait for us, too!

No!

Ha ha ha. No one's gonna come and save me, are they? It's just like she said. No one comes when you're really in danger.

Take that!

Oh.

Hey, monster! Pick on someone your own size!

That boy's our friend. We won't let you hurt him!

Wait there! We'll save you!

Just hang in there, okay?

Guys...

Here we go, Feinne!

Okay!

Are you okay? You're not injured, are you?

No... But why did you come and save me? Didn't you think I was lying?

We're friends! Do you think we can't tell when you're lying?

Yeah, we're friends, so we're supposed to believe you.

But I said we weren't...

We still couldn't leave you alone. I did get a bit annoyed when you said that, though.

But we still think of you as our friend.

Guys...

I'm gonna say it now that I've got the chance. Stop lying! You can warn people off dangerous places without doing that.

......

If we all do it together, I bet people will listen.

I...

What's important is what you want to do.

Tell us how you really feel.

I don't want to lie anymore. I don't wanna be alone and... I still wanna play with you guys!

Heh, you should have said that earlier!

Just be honest!

Sorry, guys. And you two as well.

No, don't worry about it.

From now on, don't try and do everything yourself. Try relying on your friends a bit more, okay? And if you ever get in trouble, you can always ask us for help! I'm a village guard in Baruoki, so I should be able to help.

Oh... Okay!

Okay, first you've gotta apologize to everyone in the village!

I hope they forgive me...

We'll help you, so I'm sure they will.

Let's go!

Okay!

I'm glad Ryuge made up with his friends.

Yeah... Humans and beasts are the same. Neither enjoy lying and fighting.

Feinne.

But it's okay, now. Ryuge isn't alone anymore.

Yeah, you're right!